Question:
Many years ago, you could go to church and might notice the large numbers of cigarette butts in the parking lots. Today, in most Christian circles, smoking and use of tobacco is said to be sin.
I have searched the Bible for an answer and clarification to the question about tobacco use. Is there anything in the Old Testament to clarify the question, “Is tobacco use sin or is it just an unhealthy habit?”
Thank you for your ever thoughtful answers and insight you share weekly. And may the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless you.
∼ Linda O.
Answer:
Your observation about church parking lots is apt and your question is a good one for all Bible-believing religious people to ask; we know it is much discussed in Orthodox Jewish circles. We’d like to start our answer by asking, “What is a sin?”
Because there are many Hebrew words for the act of disobeying God, there are many instances in the Bible of wrongdoing all using different words. However, English doesn’t have too many words other than the word sin. So many so-called ‘sins’ in the Tanach have different Hebrew words signifying different types of wrongdoing. There are Hebrew words meant to distinguish between sins that are deliberate rebellions against God and sins that are accidental. There are other words for the entire range in between (It was an accident but if I had cared a little more and paid more attention, I wouldn’t have done that…I was upset but I wasn’t conscious of wanting to disobey God…).So we see there are many nuances for God, just as between human parents and children. Not all bad behaviors are equivalent.
Smoking seems on the lesser end of the spectrum of sin. After all, there is no Biblical commandment, “Do not smoke”. It might well be more of a lapse in observing the requirement in Deuteronomy 4:15 to guard our lives. Certainly, we accept the permanent principle that our bodies are on loan from God and we need to take good care of them.
The difficulty is that we can each find areas in which we individually fail such as eating too much sugar, biking without a helmet, not exercising, not sleeping enough, getting upset, etc., etc.
There is even a legitimate concern that if we obsessively worry about our physical health it will come at the price of our spiritual health. The gym rat is not an ideal any more than the couch potato. Incidentally, Nazi Germany had a very vigorous anti-smoking campaign based on the idea that the government owned everyone and had a right to demand that its Aryan bodies stay healthy.
As you see, the issue isn’t black and white. For some people, smoking may even help alleviate other vices such as anger problems or uncontrolled eating. If smoking was unequivocally condemned by the Bible, there is a good chance that our increasingly secularized society would not oppose it so strongly for fear of appearing pro-Biblical. Smoking is a good target for social virtue, partially because there is no direct religious commandment forbidding it.
Here is a frightening experiment we urge you to perform, Linda. Ask a wide variety of friends and acquaintances, “If you had a child who was absolutely going to do one of these two things, which would you rather he or she did—smoking a cigarette or cheating on a school exam?”
We think you’ll be as bothered by the results as we were. A disturbingly high proportion of people are more concerned with their kids’ bodies than they are with their souls. This distorted sense of priorities has helped the popular culture demonize cigarettes way beyond what their obviously deleterious impact deserves.
So, we do not encourage smoking but neither do we think that it is the greatest evil of our times. Cigarette butts carpeting church parking lots is surely bad but so is arrogant condemnation of those who smoke.
Tending towards the sin of chocolate ourselves (or at least Susan),
Rabbi Daniel and Susan Lapin
Hey guys!
I was a HEAVY smoker for 27 years and quit in 2013 for a very practical reason. I had lost my job after 26 years and, when the unemployment ran out I was basically penniless and HAD to quit! This time was my rock bottom time, maybe not as much rock bottom as others have suffered it but still bad. Depression had set in and as a result I suffered from about three months of debilitating insomnia. If I got an hour or two a night I was lucky. I felt compelled to turn to God at around this time and unfortunately turned to Mormonism instead of mainstream Christianity. I was blessed during this time without income to be able to live rent free with my former brother in law. I was also blessed in running into an old friend who just happened to become my first and I know, only wife at the age of 50! Long story short, we both left Mormonism because my wife could not take the works aspect and this caused me to really question it. Fortunately the Holy Spirit lead me to investigate reformed Christianity and now my wife and I are happy PCA members. (That really wasn’t short, was it. I am painfully long winded!) So, hear is my point. I have kind of stumbled into smoking again! I started with a cigarillo or two on my front porch. I decided to live dangerously and inhaled. I really did like how it made my mind SUPER sharp and I did enjoy it. I decided that if I do inhale I would buy some little filtered cigars and have maybe one or two a day. Well, the local stores had NONE, so I caved and ended up buying six packs of cigarettes. So far, I am holding to between two to four a day. (Back in the day I was a pack in a half to two pack a day guy. I have assurance of my salvation in Christ. I trust only in His finished work and I feel convicted of my sin on a daily basis. I am a new creation in Him. Here’s the thing, though, I do NOT feel convicted of the sin of smoking cigarettes! I came to this article because I felt that I SHOULD feel VERY convicted. I am retired now so I will wait until next month to buy some little cigars online. Meanwhile I will smoke my cigs. I feel no urge to smoke anymore than the 2-4 cigs a day. I am so glad to have found this particular article. I know that the Holy Spirit will continue to work in my sanctification and that my God will continue to use me to glorify Him all of my days. I wish to thank both the Ranbi Daniel Lapin and all of you for your input. Especially those who reasoned from the Scriptures. God bless and keep you all and my prayers go out to those of you who are struggling with this. My love to you all!
Smoking was around the whole time when the bible was being written. Not tobacco but other substances such as opium, and yet it doesn’t even get a mention. Alcohol on the other hand does, not to be a drunkard. Everything in moderation. So smoking in moderation is not a sin.
It is however a very stupid thing to do. My argument is flawless doesn’t everyone agree?
Also people putting there own ideas forward as to what is and what is not a sin that isn’t mentioned in the bible is a sin in itself.
I don’t believe smoking is a sin, however addiction of any kind is as it hinders the Holy Spirit. When you understand what addiction is, you realise your flesh and spirit is like a slave to something that ultimately causes self harm.
Amein to all the answers here. Much love in Christ!
If you can smoke in faith, go for it. The Bible says that anything not of faith is sin. Good luck smoking in faith 😑
Hello everyone,
I have been a Smoker for all of my Adult Life, and I have never thought of it as a Sin. People always say that Smoking is a Sin, because it destroys the Body. However, Eating the wrong Foods, also destroys the Body, and no one ever talks about that. Is eating the wrong Foods a Sin, too? The Bible never speaks specifically about Smoking, Yes, it tells us not to destroy our Temple (our Body). So, should we ONLY eat Healthy Food?
I have smoked cigarettes over half my life. I have prayed many times for God to take away my desire to smoke. Recently I was doing some study on the unpardonable sin, fearing I may be doing so without realizing it. When the Holy Spirit has convicted me time and time again, and I struggle with this same problem. I don’t intentionnally think or say ” God I don’t care what I feel before I smoke, Im going to do it anyway. What I do say and feel is Jesus help me. Any thoughts on this? Please keep me in your prayers.
Dear Missy,
I am in the same boat with you. Same struggles…same conviction… Let’s keep praying in Jesus Mighty Name. God showed me that Nicorette helps and I can survive without cigarettes. Let’s take baby steps towards our Lord Jesus Christ and He will run to save us. God Bless you and your loved ones. Irina
I think it all boils down to how you personally feel. If you smoke occasionally and can take it or leave it, not putting any real importance on it, then it probably isn’t a sin. But, if you feel that you “can’t do without it” then you’ve put yourself into bondage to it. You also have to consider whether your smoking is causing a stumbling block to others. I personally feel that condemning others for anything not clearly defined as sin in the Torah is the greater sin. Peace and love to all my brothers and sisters.
I guess u could say I have a love hate relationship with cigarettes. I started smoking at 15, but when I got saved at 20 God took the desire away from me. Unfortunately I started back because most of the people I were around smoked and gave in to the peer pressure and tried to avoid the comments about me behaving so different…didn’t have much of a christian support system at the time. Then at 26 I quit for 10 years, but started back during the break up of a marriage and relationship with a man I’d been with since I was 18. It was a very hard time for me. We had adopted 2 children with some disabilities and now I was on my own caring for all of their needs. Ten years after that break up I quit again because I was pregnant with my only biological child. Whe he was just a couple of months old I started back. That has been nine years ago. Since God took the desire to smoke from me when I first gave my life to Him…I hate thay I ever went back to it because no matter how much I hate the fact that I smoke, my body just keeps on craving it. If I had known then what I know now, I would have held on to the gift that The Lord gave me…which was that fact that The Holy Spirit had washed me from within and I stopped smoking without any cravings whatsoever. Now it’s a battle and I don’t know if its because He no loger dwells within me or because of the sin of going back to something He took from me. Will He ever perform the same miracle in me or will this be a struggle forever?
Dear Michele–
You’ve not had an easy walk but you are not taking enough credit. Just as it is wrong to blame God for today’s consequences of the destructive decisions we made yesterday, so it is wrong to credit only God for the good things we have done. Oh of course He helps us and makes it all possible but the difference between a self-disciplined person who has made a lifetime of good decisions and someone else is not that God favored him over the other. It is that he took God’s guidance to heart and worked on himself in ways that were hard and sometimes even painful. That is the road to happiness and success. The point is that you stopped smoking 35 years ago (if my arithmetic is correct) and admittedly you did so because you were motivated by your new connection with God, but you did it! Just as it was you, not God who started up again. Which means that it is still you that has the power to stop now if you really wanted to. If you don’t stop now, there are only two reasons: One, you have decided that smoking brings you more benefits (relaxation, focus, calm, etc) than the costs to your physical health. Or, two, your willpower and self discipline have declined and need to be first rebuilt before you tackle something as hard as stopping to smoke. Wishing you success in whatever you choose to do.
Cordially
RDL
I am glad to hear other Christians who feel like I do when I smoke. No one knows I smoke, I only smoke at the end of the day, on my deck and talk to JESUS about things that happened and how can I be used to help others. I have stopped, started and stopped. I bike 10 miles everyday, eat healthy and my doctor told me I was on optimum health. I never told my doctor about the 1 cigarette at the end of the day until about 6 years of good check ups. He was shocked! I told him JESUS takes care of me. Not saying smoking is good, just saying JESUS has MERCY for those who want to stop and will use us for HIS purpose even though we may think we are not usable. HIS thoughts are not our thoughts! I thank GOD for that because after reading most of the comments, I’m glad those people are not the ones who judge our eternity because ALL people who smoke would be condemned. TO ALL CHRISTIANS WHO SMOKE: JESUS LOVES US!!!!
Wow. I’m glad I read this as well as all of your comments. I am currently a smoker. I have quit for as long as two years but have returned to the habit either by being around it or “cheating” during my “nonsmoking” times if I’m particularly stressed by something. Crystal, my story is very much the same as yours, except that my daughter is older. I don’t feel condemned by others, more so by myself. Can any of us ever believe that we’re worthy of the blessing of children or even life itself and especially God’s grace and mercy? None of those things are earned. They are the gifts of God who loves us and knows the humility of our hearts’ longing to be good stewards of His divine gifts. I was reading Romans yesterday, the part about my body being a living sacrifice to God, which is what lead me to this post. I’m not taking antidepressants. Thank you, Joan, for your perspective. This was helpful to me today. Thank you all, and may God bless you, give you peace and keep you extending His love through conversations like this.
I smoke because of anxiety. Prescription drugs for anxiety and other mental health issues are not without side effects.
Good point, Joan,
and just because smoking has become the emotional fuse of leftist fury nobody accepts your valid point, namely smoking has side effects but so do all the frequently prescribed medications. Each should be free to choose his own ‘medicine’.
Cordially
RDL
I suppose it’s possible to build a case against Christians smoking, based on it being a form of substance abuse, which arguably is a form of idol worship.
Begs the question – if taking soft or hard drugs is an addiction, isn’t smoking an addiction and therefore a sinful abuse of God’s temple (the human body)?
I think prominent Christian leaders must set the right example by not smoking or drinking.
Dear Ken-
I think sins are explicitly those things prohibited in the Torah. That’s my view. I don’t believe smoking is good for your lungs (though it might be good for your blood pressure–I don’t know. I am not a doctor and I think everyone should make their own decision not having government making it for them) but neither do I think smoking is a sin.
To me, it is a huge push to go from substance abuse (Which means what, exactly?) to idol worship.
I also do not follow your use of the word addiction. Smoking in itself isn’t an addiction. One can become addicted to smoking, alcohol, gambling, pornography and other things. Funnily enough, we don’t find addictions for kindness, charity and other good things. Makes one wonder eh?
Cordially
RDL
👏🌱
Nice reply 🙂
I’m going to add a very different perspective on Tobacco that I have not seen or heard one Christian point out. I just finished reading an excellent article titled “The Long Forgotten Healing Properties Of Tobacco”. Only in the last decades has Tobacco been aggressively proclaimed harmful, but up until the 50’s doctors were even promoting them for certain health benefits. In the past, various tribes used tobacco for various ailments such as earaches, snake bites, cuts and burns, respiratory diseases, fever, convulsions, nervous ailments, urinary ailments, and skin diseases. The confusion about nicotine comes from anti-smoking activists who equate nicotine and smoking. Nicotine is an anti-inflammatory agent and has been shown, among other things to prevent and treat Alzheimer’s, as well as delay the onset of Parkinson’s disease. Tobacco use is also shown to boost concentration, alertness, and memory of the brain. I think the above statement that the Nazi’s anti-smoking purge was due to Arian health concerns is incorrect. If tobacco use encourages free thinking and boost’s brain power, than that person is not as easily controlled are they? Remember, that the Nazi’s also were the first ones to use harmful fluoride in drinking water which lowers the IQ of individuals, and makes them more “docile” thus easier to control.
So lets talk about the REAL SIN of this issue. I think it is horrible for man to demonise a plant with proven healing properties that GOD almighty created. What a way to insult God’s creation with lies and propaganda by people who use junk science, and lying government officials who have an agenda. The other SIN issue here is man taking God’s Tobacco plant and adding 600 intentional chemical additives to blended cigarettes that make it harmful and addictive for the user. Most people will be SHOCKED to discover that Tobacco in its pure God made organic form is NOT addictive at all. It is all the chemical ADDITIVES that make it harmful and addictive. You can even google and read a long list of famous pastors that smoked, because they were from a old generation that did not condemn smoking, and it was also not considered a cultural sin like it is now. If Tobacco use truly was a “SIN” like it is being called today by Christians, than it would not have taken this long to figure that out now would it. Christians decades ago smoked, and didn’t have a problem with tobacco use. Christians today are just following the cultural shift in opinion without using common sense, or doing proper research on the subject. I am not promoting cigarette smoking, especially the mainstream cigarettes made today, as I do NOT think all the chemical additives in them are healthy. But, I think the use of certified organic tobacco in its God made base form, without all the nasty man made chemicals and additives is perfectly FINE, and may even provide the individual with healing health benefits. This is my opinion based on personal research and facts. I wish more Christians would take the time to actually do proper research, and use common sense.
Amen, great answer.
Thank you Crystal for your very informative quote.
great answer!! and absolutely true. there are so many natural cigar smokers that live to me 90 or 100 and NEVER had lung cancer. Recent studies have shown that there is no difference in life span between a non smoker and a natural tobacco smoker (2 cigars a day or less).
That is what I have been saying. It is from a plant that God created. It only becomes sin when it becomes an idol, something that you put before God. Everything in moderation. Thats my conviction.
Agreed. Jesus said it isn’t what goes into our bodies/mouths that defiles us, it’s what comes out of our hearts/mouths. Mark 7:15. Matthew 15:11. I’ve experienced a lot of condemnation from it, too, and have wondered if this is part of the apostasy mentioned in 1 Timothy 4:1-5
I’m three years late to this conversation, but in case anyone wants to read this; I agree with most of what you say here except one thing. I smoke 100% tobacco (zero additives) certified organic cigarettes, and I am completely and totally addicted to them. I find no healing benefit, they don’t make me relaxed or feel “good” in any way. They cause shortness of breath, wheezing lung sounds, systemic inflammation, dry thin skin, yellow teeth, horribly smelly hair, isolation from non-smokers, Impatience and hurry, nervousness, and so on and so in. I smoke because I am addicted, period.
That said, I would say smoking is a man made “sin”. It wasn’t “wrong” to smoke even 25 years ago. It wasn’t until man started telling us it’s bad that it became bad. However, The Holy Spirit wants our full devotion. If we are turning to the vice of cigarettes, then we are turning from the Spirit. Meaning, if I need stress relief, that can be found in the Lord. If I need healing, that is only found in the Lord. If I need stimulation, that is found in the Lord. If we believe (and follow) Scripture, it makes perfect sense that smoking is not mentioned, because the subject is covered when we are obedient.
Our sinful flesh nature is what draws us to smoke, this is true for whatever reasons we smoke. As followers of Christ we are called to die to the flesh. So, while I don’t know that smoking in itself is a sin, our disobedience and unwillingness to surrender all to Him, speaks volumes about our faith…and that may just be the more important question….why do I still smoke if I follow Jesus? Why am I still holding onto the flesh if The Holy Spirit lives within me?
I am or was a born again Christian when I was 18. Baptized too. Went against my family to be baptized at that point in time; my family were non believers.
Strong was the zest and fire for the Lord then.
Alas, I backslided 5 years later.
Next, I ended up Married a non believer (remember the verse in bible that says one should not), had a lovely daughter (prayed for her throughout pregnancy).
But still didn’t go back to church.
Today, 19 years after I first accepted God, I am divorced, single mother to my daughter, and with a 13 year old smoking habit.
I try to attend church on sundays because I want my daughter to go to Sunday school. On ocassional days when I pray, I pray for my daughter to be everything that I wasn’t able to be or become; woman of God,pure heart so she can see God, heart filled with love joy peace, to be used by God in His kingdom, to be bestowed with wisdom from God and discernment etc
Heavy is the sense of condemnation.
I hide behind pillars in basement carparks, in some secluded corner, hiding and hiding and hiding from the views of other christians, when I have to smoke before service. I try not to. And ended up puffing away after service ends and I depart from church.
I feel condemned and judged by others. i feel like the huge placard stating SINNER is hung on me when christians or anyone else who disapproves of smoking, looks at me and sees me light up.
My former church in the east of Singapore, cornerstone community church condemns smoking and divorce and Harry Potter books so strongly , I have been stuck with the mindset since then that I am going against His words if I am doing the above and many other things that they preach about , and so that sense of condemnation and shame has never left me despite reattending church somewhere else where no one knows me so I can hide behind anonymity. It feels like I am constantly sinning.
I need help and prayers.
Please understand that we are saved by Grace through faith [Eph 2:5 2:8] and if you ever attend a condemning church they are operating under the law [Romans 3:19 says that what ever things the law says it’s says to those who are under it ” every mouth must be stoped and find the world guilty before god” and as long as we live under the law we are under a curse to do the whole law [Galatians 3:10] Jesus has redeemed us from the curse of the law and that being justified by faith not the law we have peace with God through Jesus christ.. You are saved remember those who wish to be first will be last and the last first..his grace is sufficient, his strength perfect in weakness 2Cor 12:9
So if there is no law then what is sin? Sin is defined as transgression of the law of God. The New Testament even days that if you don’t keep Gods law then you don’t know him and never did
I will add you to my prayers when I pray about my smoking, if I am ever able to quit it will be because of God and he will get the glory, I will shout it to everyone, praise God.
In the meantime, read your Bible every day or evening and talk to God. God loves us and hears us even though we smoke. Don’t let the Devil convince you otherwise.
God does not shame you. The enemy does. I believe God, through the Holy Spirit brings conviction..but not condemnation.
I AM a smoker also. It helps my nerves. I also consider myself to be saved. I been praying and asking God to help me with this addiction. I feel convicted everyone I smoke a cigarette. I want to quit. I have only been able to go 3 days without. Too much going on in my life and can’t seem to catch a break.
I am American but attend s Nepali Baptist church. I smoke but don’t want to. I’ve stopped for up to 3 years but went back following bad personal problems. To them smoking is enough to get you thrown out of church. I don’t agree so I conceal it. It’s a bad habit but not to love me because I smoke is to me true sin. I love these believers and do not see ethnicity or race. I am black. One Nepali girl hates me for some unknown reason. In the presence of our pastor she called me a nigger 5 tmes. He did nothing to stop her nor did he reprimand her. To me this too is a greater “sin”. It is hypocrisy. God is not a respector of persons. Let he who is free from sin cast the first stone. Our job is to love one another even in view of our imperfections. Incidently this girl (iI am 66 years old) is allowed to run the youth ministry in spite of her hatred of me her btother. This church has it all wrong which is the fruit of our unBiblical condemnation of one anothers faults.
I must say that girl is sinning and she had no right to treat you that way i pray that she has the holy spirit speak to her heart and help her see her sin. I am sorry that so many have this in there hearts.
I am white and am so sorry that that girl said that to you. I love you my brother the color of our skin means nothing. I pray for us all.
True brothers and sisters in the Lord do not see skin color. I was born into a physical body that happens to be white but that is not something we choose nor does it matter. Jesus came to save humanity. Red, brown, yellow, black and white…we are all God’s children and made in His image. I’m sorry you had to deal with this ignorance. The Bible tells us that we know we have passed from death unto life because we love others. Love is what true Christianity is all about. It’s the worlds most beautiful love story!
You should leave that church. That is so wrong and the preacher should have said so.
Amen those church doors would close for me. Pray for this church because it shall fall like dominoes!
I am very sorry she has called you such awful names. Just show her love in return, As the Lord said you will heap hot coals upon them when you show love rather than hate or revenge.
Thank you I smoke sometimes I am homeless and sometimes I smoke a cigarette to ease my anxiety
I am praying for you right now
I was not that religious or even touched the bible. But a year and a half back my life turned out to be so miserable that I saw and went through things I never even imagined. I was all wrapped with Recreational drugs with a glass of liquor and smoke stick or joints. One day a preacher visited our place n could see I was not interested to know what god did. I was forced to read the bible by my mum. But I have no regrets because I’m enlightened. The only thing that still is with me n won’t leave is smoke or and dope. The pastor of my church always tells me your calling is released but smoking is an obstacle. Just like Rabbi and Susan I went through the bible but couldn’t find anything that classified smoking as sin and also as we know lords love is unconditional then why my smoking has stopped my calling. Why is there a condition. God never wanted us to know what is the difference between good and bad and so asked Adam n eve to stay away from the tree. When he never wanted us to discriminate. Who considered smoking as bad???? I don’t question the word of god but this is like blind faith. Just because world thinks it Bad it’s bad.
So my mother in law died of lung cancer caused by smoking and my grandfather had a traquiotomy do to smoking. It was a very ugly death and sad to see my grandfather go from out going and from being the entertainer to isolated and depressed because he couldn’t speak anymore. It was sad to never hear my grandfather’s voice for the rest of the time we had with him. It’s hard for me to hear that smoking is not bad or a sin when it is something that is a tool of the enemy to rob, kill, and destroy our lives. The bible says we have freedom in Christ but that not all things are good for us. It also teaches us to be other center like Christ, smoking is harmful to others breathing in second hand smoke around you and is bad for the earth that God created. We are called to not conform to the world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds. We are to be salt in the world. Different from everyone else. Set apart! I am a former smoker and God is able to help us conquer and live in victory. We can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Still working on food and exercise but will not just be ok with sinning against my savior. Am fighting the good fight to take care of the body God gave me
Crystal, I’m sorry you had to watch your grandfather suffer. In general, there is a commandment to guard our health. However, there is no commandment to single out smoking more than other activities that aren’t good for us. We certainly aren’t encouraging smoking. Not everything that isn’t a sin is commendable. May you prevail in your fight for your health.
I am 83 and I have smoked since I was very young. When I started smoking, it was considered very acceptable we smoked everywhere, on planes, trains in lobbies, etc., then the world decided it was a health hazard and outlawed it everywhere in public. That just made it more inconvenient but didn’t cause me to want to stop.
Then when I decided to get more serious about my walk with God, I stopped a lot of things that I knew were sins because the Bible says so, but I didn’t stop smoking because the Bible doesn’t address that and it is such a crutch for me that I feel I really need it.
I have heard a lot of preachers on TV say how we need to be free of any bad habits we have, etc. and some have even mentioned smoking. They don’t say anything about over eating or other bad habits. And there are many bad habits we all have in different areas. Mine is smoking, I am not an over eater.
I do wish I weren’t a smoker and didn’t feel the need for it, but I do. I pray about it and ask God to take my desire away if he doesn’t want me to smoke but so far nothing has happened.
When you pray. DO NOT DOUBT. If you ask him to take your desire completely away and make them repulsive to you if he does not want you to smoke anymore and I even say give it time. Says to wait on God so you know, keep praying at least once EVERYDAY the same request and do that for like a week and then see if anything changes. If not then you are good to go. CRUCIAL…!!!Do Not Doubt!!!… When you ask. Know that he heard you very loud and clear and that he will make a decision. If I were you I’d pray about 3-8 times a day and keep my faith in him 100% and do that for at least a week then whatever the outcome turns out to be… I’d believe it undoubtedly. Then also don’t doubt that he decided for you if you still crave and they still taste good to you than keep on smoke but if you start getting hooked on other things like TV,or talking, etc… And the smokes start tasting different STOP right then and no that it was his answer. Keep total faith!
I was a heavy smoker before my encounter with Christ but when I got born again, right there the urge ceased and I have been free of smoking for 25 years now.
It is a sin! It’s false idolatry! Consider how much you think about smoking in a day, or how much time it takes up out of your day.. and the bible says that, our body is the temple of the holy ghost, it is not our own. So therefore we’re disrespecting our bodies, therefore the Lord. So smoking=bad health, =health problems/illnesses =death. Murder is a sin? So if the cause of your death turns out to be related to your smoking or bad health habits, than haven’t you just killed yourself, just at a much slower rate than suicide for e.g? Please don’t get upset, I’ve come to believe in christ just a few short months ago, and i am a smoker.. but I’m sure its a sin. Whether it is willful (which those sins, arent forgiven!) Or whether its a true addiction, which some of us can feel its impossible to “just stop”, or “use gum” etc. That is the bigger question, i believe. Yes its a sin! But is it willful??
Dear Kat,
As you know from reading our teaching, we don’t think you are correct. But then you much prefer the truth to being massaged with warm butter.
Cordially
RDL
Avoid all appearance of evil is scripture… meaning to me if people even perceive it as evil avoid it bc we are to be an example. Be Holy as I am Holy is another scripture of guidance…. The purpose is to have us walking in the spirit and not the flesh to deny ourselves the gratification of the flesh and the world and be separate. Sanctifying ourselves unto The Creator to be a vessel for his use… The more we abide the more Power we possess and the more we can be used to do his will bc we will have One accord….. I have struggled with smoking it is a trap and easy to explain away (Decieve yourself)…. Hope this helps God’s Mercy and Grace to you all….N8 #TEAMJESUS
DON’T SMOke. Even though it feels good for you it is not.
Wow I feel better smoking now but I do it because of my family problems my sister has been arguing with her bf which gets me upset and my parents are splitting up looking for new partners it really gets me upset
bro me and you are the same tho I used to say to my self I wont ever smoke started everyone was surpirised
Smoking is better for you. Just try not to inhale. Dr would. Tell you to smoke for stress. They would give you whiskey for colds. Coke a cola for cocaine. The list goes on and on. Now days if it natural it is bad for you. They want you to take all these man made drugs. Then you are addicted and they force you to go off of them. To mess you up all over again. Just so they can experiment some new drugs. The cycle never ends.
Dear Nancy–
It is disturbing to discover how many people today distrust the medical establishment.
Could it have something to do with its politicization?
Cordially
RDL